Soft Tissue Sarcomas

Soft tissue sarcomas are cancerous tumors that start in soft tissues
such as fat, muscle, nerves, fibrous tissues, and blood vessels. These
tumors can occur anywhere in the body, but about 75 percent occur in the
arms and legs (extremities).

Soft tissue sarcomas are not common, but they occur more frequently than
bone sarcomas. An estimated
11,410 new cases of soft tissue sarcoma will be diagnosed in the United
States in 2013. These tumors account for about one percent of all
cancers that occur in adults. Because soft tissue sarcomas are both
uncommon and complex tumors, it is important to seek care from a team of
specialists that has significant experience and expertise in the
evaluation, diagnosis, staging, and multidisciplinary treatment of these
cancers.

To schedule an appointment at the Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, call
1.866.CALL.MLH or use the online
appointment request form. Instructions for new patients are
available here.

Types of Soft Tissue Sarcomas

There are more than 50 types of soft tissue sarcomas. The different
tumor types are named for the tissue they develop in or the cell type
they originate from. The most common types to develop in the arms or
legs of adults are:

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma. These tumors
start in fibrous tissue (tissue that forms tendons and ligaments
and that covers bones and organ) and usually occur in the arm or
leg. They are the most common soft tissue sarcoma in older
adults.

Liposarcoma. These tumors start in fat tissue
and usually occur in the thigh or behind the knee; they also can
occur in the abdomen. Adults aged 50 to 65 are most often
affected.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors
(neurofibrosarcomas, neurogenic sarcomas, malignant schwannomas)
start in cells that surround a nerve. These tumors usually form
in the leg, arm, or trunk.

Synovial sarcoma. These tumors develop near
joints—usually around the knee, ankle, shoulder, or hip.
Teenagers and young adults are most often affected.

Fibrosarcoma. These tumors also start in
fibrous tissue and usually occur in the leg, arm, or trunk.
Adults aged 20 to 60 are most often affected.

Diagnosis and Tumor Grading

The diagnosis of soft tissue sarcoma requires a comprehensive evaluation
(see Steps to Diagnosis),
including a well-planned biopsy
and pathologic assessment
of the tumor specimen. Soft tissue sarcomas are classified from “low
grade” to “high grade” based on how the cancer cells look under a
microscope and how the tumors behave. The higher the grade, the greater
the risk for aggressive growth and metastasis (spread) to other parts of
the body.

Treatment

Surgery is the main treatment for soft tissue tumors, with radiation
therapy often playing a supporting role, particularly in the treatment
of high-grade tumors. Surgery involves removing all cancerous tissues as
well as a margin of normal tissue (wide
resection). Chemotherapy also may be used in the treatment of soft
tissue tumors in some cases. The decision to add chemotherapy to the
treatment regimen is made on the basis of tumor type, grade, and
sensitivity to anticancer medications.

To schedule an appointment at the Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, call
1.866.CALL.MLH or use the online
appointment request form. Instructions for new patients are
available here.

STAY CONNECTED

The information provided in this Web site is for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for medical advice. All medical information presented should be discussed with your healthcare professional. See additional Terms of Use at www.mainlinehealth.org/terms.
For more information, call 1.866.CALL.MLH.